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East L.A. feels disrespected by Glendale councilman’s comments

One Glendale councilman roundly criticized the aesthetic of large fast food and strip mall signs, comparing them last week to "something you see in East L.A." Now, East Los Angeles isn't so amused.

A group of East L.A. community leaders and students announced Tuesday they plan to publicly call on Glendale Councilman Ara Najarian to apologize for his comments, which came during a public meeting on eradicating large signs that violate Glendale codes.

At a City Council meeting last week, Najarian said dissatisfaction with the signs was "a matter of aesthetics," and compared them to East. L.A., the Glendale News-Press reported.

Organizers said they plan to remind Najarian when his colleagues take up the sign issue tonight about the importance of being "responsible and respectful" public officials. They also plan to share copies of East L.A.'s regulations for signs.

The announcement came through L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina's office, which has been fielding calls for days from constituents angry over Najarian's comments, a spokeswoman said.

Molina's district includes many of the L.A. County communities that border Glendale to the south and east, including Glassell Park, Eagle Rock and Silver Lake.